Mentor Training Course Syllabus


Goals :
.....1. To provide an awareness of the traits of effective mentors
.....2. To provide practice and structures for active listening, and conferencing techniques
.....3. To explore the differences between student and adult learners
.....4. To examine the traits of effective teaching and how to use that information in mentoring new teachers

Learning Outcomes :
.....1. Teachers will have knowledge of the the traits of effective mentors, conferencing techniques, and the needs of adult learners
.....2. Teachers will have an understanding of the interpersonal skills necessary to be a trusted mentor
.....3. Teachers will have knowledge of the traits of effective teachers

Structure :
..The course will be comprised of two consecutive days of classes from 8-4 on the 22nd and 23rd of August.


Day I
Overview - benefits of a mentoring program

Defining Roles

..........Role of the Mentor/Mentee
...............................Pretest about the traits of a good mentor
...............................Discussion of traits of a good mentor

Role of Mentor : Supportive coach
.............................Guide
.............................Local Knowledge Base
.............................Goal of Developing Mentee into an effective teacher
.............................Colleague
.............................Collaborate w/mentee
.............................Model Skillful/Reflective/Professional teaching
.............................Open learner
.............................Willing to engage in the process : Conference -Data Collection - Conference

Role of Mentee :
.............................Colleague
.............................Collaborate w/mentor
.............................Observer of teaching styles
.............................Open learner
.............................Willing to engage in the process : Conference -Data Collection - Conference
.............................Be Reflective teacher

Role of the mentor support group :
.............................Support mentors in mentoring process, sounding board, critical friends
............................Awareness and training and topics covered in New Teacher Seminar


How to Teach Adults : Facilitation vs. Teaching
...............................List about teaching kids vs. adults
...............................H ow does it make you feel when you are taught by an adult
...............................How to treat them as a knowledgeable peer

Confidentiality - ...Establishing guidelines
...............................Following ethical guidelines
...............................Teaching tools of confidentiality
...............................Not part of the principal’s supervision and evaluation
...............................Give state statutes
...............................Role play the break of confidentiality

Trust Building - Develop Relations
...............................Power differential
...............................Personal space
...............................How you position yourself
...............................Principal has to independently observe and evaluate
...............................Mentors feel protected
...............................The get to know you activity
...............................Following through
...............................Clear lines of communication
...............................Honest conversation about what you want from your mentor

...............................pick activities : pairs model trusting and non trusting versions

HW : Active listening literature
..........Reflective writing about when you felt safe as a learner


Day II

Reflection : Discussion about what makes a “safe environment” for learning (small group review of reflective writing)

Active Listening - Literature
...............................Model the role-play
...............................Discuss and then role-play different topics between mentors and mentees

Straight Talk - Critique in positive language
.........................Couching in constructive ways
.........................Contrast destructive and constructive criticism

Define traits of Effective Teachers

Conferencing/Observation
...........Develop process

........... Preconference :
...............................Develop preconference framework
...............................Specific information to be gathered
...............................Instrument for gathering information
...............................Goals for the lesson
...............................Agree upon time

............Observation :
...............................Focus on goals
...............................Only gather data on what you were asked to gather info on
...............................No comments (you’re a fly on the wall) unless asked
...............................Convenient spot
...............................Introduction ?

..............Post conference - Give data first ?
...............................Meet within 48 hours
...............................Process - they speak .....TTTT centered
...............................Active listening
...............................Next steps/what would you change
...............................Post-conference feedback

Role-plays/Discussion - Wrap up

Contact Dan Heller 802-368-2590 or by e-mail Beth Brodie at bbrodie@sover.net or Kevin Feal-Staub at kfeal-staub@tvhs.k12.vt.us